Customer Reviews

Seldom Scene - 15th Anniversary Edition

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The Seldom Scene gilded the lilly by taking their own top-of-the-line Bluegrass band and adding Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris (did you ever wonder what was the inspiration for the heavenly "Trio" albums), Ricky Skaggs, Tony Rice, Charlie Waller and Jonathan Edwards. There are some wonderful uptempo tunes. (Sittin' on Top of the World, Tony Rice's dazzling version of "You Don't Know My Mind" - which he had recorded with Scene members on his "California Autumn"). But the real stars of this concert are absolutely heavenly slow ballads. Jonathan Edwards had just been with the Scene in the studio recording "Blue Ridge" and on this performance his plaintive lead vocals are matched note for note by John Duffey's soaring tenor - it's as beautiful as a slow country waltz could be. Ricky and Ronstadt cover the Gospel "Drifting Too Far From the Shore", and multiple performances since have tried to match theirs, included Third Tyme Out on "Back to the Mac".

What you want to know is "Is it good?"

It's good - just get it, already.

I believe that over time this album will take on some of the characteristics of the classic "Will the Circle be Unbroken" and "Circle 2" work that the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band did. Long-time fans of the Seldom Scene know the history of the band cold, along with personnel changes and the many recordings. I have seen the band twice at the Birchemere, once during the Lou Reed era and again when John Starling returned to the band. Their live appearances at such a great venue are wonderful. This album has too many guest appearances to list, but it has the feel of a party that we were lucky enough to crash. I love the on-stage banter between songs, and the genuine affection that many of these artists seem to feel toward each other. I think that as the years go by and some of the artist pass, this album will become even more special and ageless.

Along with their 20th Anniversary album, this album helps constitute the old and new testaments of the contemporary blue grass bible. The harmonics are superb, taking blue grass away from a twangy sound to one that is rich and vibrant.

I first heard the Seldom Scene live at a small bar in Bethesda Md in 1970. The voices of John Starling, John Duffy and Mike Auldridge were beautifully matched for blending in the harmonies of this music. Also both men are tops in their instruments Duffy on mandolin and Auldridge on dobro. Gray and other bassists also added to the sound. If you want to get a taste of bluegrass listen to the early S.S. or get the anniversary album. It was also nice that Emmy Lou and others would just pop into the Red Fox Inn for impromtu sessions.

I bought this more for the special guests than for the group and was not disappointed. The guests are a treat, but the group are 5 star as well.

The Seldom Scene is the bluegrass band for people who think they don't like bluegrass music. "Contemporary Bluegrass", as it's called, is a modern approach to the genre; it sounds cleaner and more sophisticated than the bluegrass of many years ago. The traditional instruments (banjo, guitar, fiddle, upright bass, mandolin and dobro) are still used, but complex chord changes, smooth vocal harmonies and sometimes even drums modernize the sound, and make it more accessible to new generations of fans. It's kinda like customizing your pick-up truck; it's still a truck, but a little more comfortable and attractive.

Anyway, The Seldom Scene's 15th Anniversary Celebration (1988), held at Washington, DC's Kennedy Center (not far from the band's Maryland home), includes guest appearances by Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Ricky Skaggs, Charlie Waller, and Tony Rice. With an interesting and varied song selection, from John Fogerty's Big Train From Memphis to Merle Haggard's High On A Hilltop, there's never a dull moment.

Blue Ridge and Raised By The Railroad Line paint thoughtful images of nature's wonders and fond childhood memories. Both include great vocal harmonies and subtle instrumentation. The spiritual, Drifting Too Far From The Shore (Ricky Skaggs with Linda Ronstadt) continues this quiet, thoughtful style, and also sounds great.

Tony Rice, one of bluegrass' flat top guitar pickin' superstars, shows his stuff on the faster You Don't Know My Mind, and Emmylou Harris does a great version of Gram Parsons' Wheels.

The Seldom Scene closes the show with a nice version of the spiritual Take Me In Your Lifeboat.

The mood is one of celebration, and there are plenty of upbeat songs and moments, but the party is also balanced with quiet, reflective songs. The production is crisp, the mood is light, and the contemporary bluegrass is as good as it gets.

All I can say is, if you're new to the bluegrass genre, get this album! John Duffey is in top form, lots of good guests and songs (Blue Ridge is excellent, Dark as a Dungeon with Charlie Waller is a classic).